Respirator



H. 8. COVER RESPIRATOR July 14, 1931.

Filed July 9, 1928 2 sheetsi-sheet 1 In venior Harvey S 00 var.

.Hls Attorney.

Patented July 14, 1931 :1 i e UNITED, STATES. PATENT", OFFICE HARVEY s.COVER, or SOUTH BEND, INDIANA nnsrma'roa Application filed my 9, 1928.Serial no. 291,189.

My invention ingeneral relates to respira-fort. The head box has a top11, sidewalls tors and more particularly to that class of 12, front andback walls I l-15 respectively, respirators wherein thefilter materialis not and partition 16, which latter provides an carriedby the facepiece. 1 upper compartment -17 for the reception of The principal objectof the invention is to the filter material 18 and a lower compart- 55provide an improved device of the kind d'elnent 19 which fits over thehead of the scribed of a novel construction and combina wearer, as shownin Figures land 2. tion of parts with a view'to obtaining theCommunicating with 'theinterior of the maximum of convenience, comfortand efliupper compartment 17, and secured-t0 the ciency. I partition 16.are flexible tubes 2021 which Another object of the invention is toproare passed through the side walls of the head vide a respirator withmeans whereby a combox and thence fastened over short bent porparativelylarge quantity of filter material tionsof metal tubes '22whi'ch aresecured to may be incorporated therein with a view'to the lnner'wall ofthe face piece B by flanges 15 securing higher efiiciency infilteringthe air 23, in this manner air communication be and absorbing impuritiestherein; tween the upper compartment andthe in- A further object of theinvention is to protenor of the face piece being established. 'vide arespirator of a design and construc- The face piece B is formed ormolded from tion particularly adapted to yield a clear a sheet flexiblematerial to provide a cir- 20 space for the eyes, with aview to thewearing cumferential wall 24' formed integrally with of goggles orspectacles when desired; a front disc like portion 25, having a re- Astill further object is to provide a resinforced projection 26 with ashoulder 27' pirator in the form of a novel combination adapted to beresiliently engaged by a cap of helmet and face piece. 28 having adiaphragm 29 which is fitted These and other objects and advantages ofover an opening 30 leading to the interior of the method of constructionemployed will the face piece. As best shown in Figure 4, appear morefully in the hereinafter specifithe top 31 of the cap has a number ofincation when taken in connection with the'acwardly projecting bosses 32which serveto companying drawingsin which, confineand prevent excessivemovement of 30 Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my the diaphragm.

' invention as itappears in actual use. The face piece is in partsupported by the Figure 2 is a similar View of the device as flexibletubes 20 and 21 but is retained lightly viewed from the front. 7 i yetsecurely against the face of the wearer by 35 Figure 3 is a rearelevation of the device the flexible straps 39 which are crimped oritself.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line one end and at the other endare perforated 44 of Figure 3. j i to admit the bent sections of'the airtubes 22. Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line As shown inFigures2 and 3, I have provided 55 of Figure 4. the face piece with acut out portion 40 to 40 Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional detailaccommodate the nostrils of the wearer in a showing a modified form ofan exhalation manner to obtain an air tight adjustment of valve used inmy invention. the facepiece to the face with a high degree With moreparticular reference to the of comfort. I i v I drawings, whereinsimilar characters of In the modified form of respirator valve referenceindicate corresponding parts in shown in Figure 6, the diaphragm 33 hasa the several views of the preferred form of central perforation 34 toaccommodate the my invention, A designates the head box or shaft of-abolt 35 about which'a coil spring helmet which may be of any desiredmaterial 36 isencircled. By referring to Figure 6 but preferably offabricated material'of suiliit will be seen that the coil spring, whichcient flexibility to be worn without discom is confined between the topwall 37 of the riveted to the side walls of the head box at i cap and aprojecting portion 38 on the diaphragm, serves to lightly maintain thelatter against a recessed seat 33 formed in the projecting part of theface piece, this form of exhalation valve constituting a variation ofthe one illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

The function'and mode of operation of my invention has been in partsuggested from the foregoingv description, but will be made more fullyapparent by the following brief explanation r y In many devicesheretofore usedthe filter material was placed immediately within the"face piece, the quantity being not only inthe head in a most convenientand comfortable manner. The head box may, in fact, be

worn for many hours without discomfort. In such cases where the wearermay be exposed to danger from smoke or poisonous gases, the filteringmaterial, which in the present case is merely shredded jute, may beimpregnated with a suitable neutralizing solution.

By inspection of Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that quite a clearspace is provided for the eyes of the wearer, who may make use ofgoggles of the open or gas tight variety.

It will, of course, be understood that during inspiration the air willpass through the filter material in the upper compartment to the tubesand thence to the face piece, the diaphragm within the cap serving as acheck valve (luring inspiration but permitting exhaled air to passthrough the perforated cap.

When exhaling, the diaphragm will move forwardly from its seat,permitting the breath to pass through the vent holes 28 of theperforated cap.

Among the various mechanical features adding to the convenience andcomfort of the wearer, it will be noted that the face piece is sustainedlargely by the breathing tubes supported from the head box and connectedin air tight manner to the top compartment, the

face of the wearer in this way being relieved of pressure or weight. Theelastic bands which stretch diagonally from the head box to the shorttubes on which they are secured, serve to draw the face piece lightlyagainst the face of the wearer, maintaining an air Eight contact withthe least possible discomort.

This device not only embodies all the advantages of a highly efiicientrespirator, but also serves as a hat or head covering for protectionagainst the rays of the sun, dust, etc. In addition, since the cubicalcontents capacity of the filter space in the upper compartment of thehead box is many times in excess of that available in the ordinary facepiece respirator, a high degree of efliciency in filtration is obtainedwhile a comparatively heavy weight of filter material moistened orunmoistened, may be carried comfortably in the upper compartment, thebottom ortion preferably resting on top of the bee of the wearer.

It will be understood that the device described and illustrated issusceptible to wide modification and change. For example, the head boxor helmet is of a configuration merely typical of that which would, forthe purpose of illustration, best set forth the mechanical advanta es ofthe device. In actual practice this he met may be configured to anypleasing shape.

I wish it to be distinctly understood, therefore, changes in thespecific details of construction can be resorted to within the scope ofthe appended claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing anyof the advantages of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A respirator comprising a head box, a partition dividing said head boxinto an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said uppercompartment being adapted to contain filtering material and beingprovided with an opening of large area for air intake directly from theatmosphere, said lower compartment arranged to fit upon the head of theuser, a face piece, a pair of tube members connected to said face pieceand extending in a substantially vertical direction to connect with thefront portion of said upper compartment, whereby said tube members serveto maintain said face piece in pro er spaced relation with respect tosaid head 1: for supporting said face piece in osition, an exhalationvalve mounted in said face piece and constructed and arranged to openupon exhalation and to close upon inhalation, and elastic membersconnected to said face piece and the sides of said head box and adaptedto aid in maintaining said face piece in contact with the face of theuser to permit readily disengaging said face piece from the face of theuser without disconnecting the same from said head box.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification.

. HARVEY S. COVER.

